The Israeli government has approved the deployment of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service in Israel and selected areas of the Gaza Strip, announced Israel's Minister of Communications on Wednesday.
Under the agreement, Starlink will provide internet access to a UAE-run field hospital in Rafah, south of Gaza.
However, any extension of services in the besieged area will require Israeli approval.
Starlink's low-earth orbit satellite network promises high-speed internet access in remote locations or where traditional communication infrastructures have been disrupted.
The Israeli Communications Minister, Shlomo Karhi, stated that Starlink's high-speed internet service would enable "real-time video conferencing with other hospitals and remote disease diagnosis."
The UAE's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Afra Al Hameli, praised the agreement, highlighting that reliable and high-speed internet access will facilitate life-saving medical consultations via video calls.
Gaza's hospitals are overwhelmed due to the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in 68,291 injuries according to Hamas's Health Ministry in Gaza.
The UN reported last week that only 13 out of 36 hospitals are fully operational in Gaza.
SpaceX owner Elon Musk proposed in October to provide satellite internet to relief organizations in Gaza after UN agencies and NGOs reported losing contact with their teams due to communication blackouts.
Israeli Minister Karhi initially objected, fearing that Hamas militants would benefit from the internet service.
Following Musk's visit to Israel and his tour of locations attacked by Hamas on October 7, Karhi announced a preliminary understanding of the use of Starlink.
He clarified that units in Gaza for humanitarian purposes would depend on Israeli security approvals.
Musk expressed his appreciation for Israel's decision on his platform "X," hoping the service will aid both Israelis and "innocent civilians in Gaza."
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